Seems like Wal-Mart attracts controversy all over the place — even on social networking web sites.
 
Last week, the world’s largest retailer set up the “Roommate Style Match” group on Facebook, a social networking site that has millions of college age users.
 
Wal-Mart hoped the group would help it attract a larger chunk of back-to-school shopping dollars.  (Click here for a Reuters story. For a take by a Forrester blogger, click here.)

But the group has also attracted a share of Wal-Mart detractors.  (The names of the posters are the ones they use on Facebook and the excerpts were copied directly from Facebook.)
 
“Small business was hurting our economy for too long!” wrote Daniel Waddington. “I only wish I could super-size the trade deficit along with my fries! No Job? De-valued dollar can’t cover my rising interest rates? At least I saved a nickel on a picture frame!!”
 
A post by Dave Haack said, “Unionize Wal Mart Give wal mart workers a Union and save america. Then every one can shop there and people who work there can earn enough to live !”

Wal-Mart did have some defenders on the site. For example,  Connie Bensen lauded Wal-Mart for its charitable contributions. 
“Wal-Mart just opened a store last week in my community. They donated $33,000 to community organizations. $5,000 of that came to my library for literacy! We welcome the new store & the shopping opportunities!”
 
A Wal-Mart spokeswoman said the company was happy so many of its customers were visiting the Facebook site. 
 
“We recognize that we are facilitating a live conversation, and we know that in any conversation, especially one happening online, there will be both supporters and detractors,” spokeswoman Jami Arms said in an email message to Reuters.

– Reuters photo from Wal-Mart 2007 annual shareholder meeting